​Time to stop trying to harm streetcar

There has not been a more controversial project in the city of Milwaukee in recent years than the city’s streetcar.

For years, critics have contended it is a waste of money and have constantly tried to block it through either state or local action, including a recent ill-advised push by Ald. Tony Zielinski to pull $200,000 in operating funds in the proposed 2018 city budget.

A chief concern has been that while the construction costs of the system are being paid with federal dollars and grants, taxpayers likely would be required to pick up the operation and maintenance costs of the streetcar.

The recent announcement that Potawatomi Hotel & Casino has agreed to be the presenting sponsor for the streetcar, signing a 12-year, $10 million deal, should put a lot of those concerns to rest.

The sponsorship is a major win for the project’s biggest proponent, Mayor Tom Barrett. It also gives Milwaukee officials a running start on their goal of attracting sponsorships and other partnerships for the streetcar to cover the system’s initial $3.5 million annual operating cost.

In addition, city officials will seek sponsors for the interior of the streetcars, some exterior space and at the 20 stops on the initial route.

Construction of the streetcar’s initial phase is well underway and it is scheduled to begin service in late 2018.

It is time for critics to realize the streetcar is going to happen and to get on board to make sure it's successful for the benefit of the entire region.